Holding means for horse-blankets.



.W. G. AYRES. HOLDING MEANS FOR HORSE BLANKETS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1910.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO..WASHINGTON, n. c.

WILLIAM G. AYRES, 0F GYNW YD, PENNSYLVANIA.

HOLDING MEANS FOR, HORSE-BLANKETS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 10, 1910.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

Serial No. 560,512.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, IVILLIAM G. AYRES, a citizen of the United States, residing in Cynwyd, county of Montgomery, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Holding Means for Horse- Blankets, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide improved means for holding in place a bias girth horse blanket of the general type shown in my Patent No. 584,661, granted June 15, 1897; it being especially desired to provide means whereby twisting of the girths shall be prevented.

I further desire to provide a novel arrangement of parts designed for use in connection with a horse blanket, which while maintaining the different portions of the bias girths in their correct relative posi tions, shall allow them to move relatively to each other and hold them together without interfering with the bias pull of the girths.

These objects and other advantageous ends I secure as hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1, is a perspective view illustrating my invention as applied to a well known form of horse blanket, and Fig. 2, is a full sized perspective view illustrating the detail construction of my invention.

In the above drawings, 1 represents a horse blanket of any desired and suitable construction having a system of straps or stays which in this particular case includes side straps 2 extending rearwardly from the lower front neck portion of the blanket although these may be omitted in some instances. In addition there is on each side of said blanket a strap 3 extending downwardly and rearwardly from the neck portion and also a strap 4 extending downwardly and forwardly from the rump portion of the blanket. As will be noted, a continuation of the lower ends of the set of straps on one side of the blanket causes them to cross under the horses belly so that the strap 3 on one side of the blanket is in effect a continuation of the strap 4 on the other side, while the other strap 3 is likewise prolonged and has the second strap 4 as its continuation; the two straps 4 being united at the top of the blanket or not, as

may be found advisable. The lower ends of all four of the straps are preferably though not necessarily unattached to the blanket, while their main portions are sewed or otherwise fixed to it so that any strain or pull is resisted by the material of the straps themselves and is not exerted upon the cloth of the blanket. In order that the blanket may be conveniently applied to or removed from a horse, a suitable form of detachable fastening or coupling 5 and 6 is connected between each of the elongated straps 3 and 4 and the short straps 4 and 3 respectively.

In order that the lengths of the underbody portions of the straps 3 and 4 may be varied, I carry the elongated end of one strap 4 through the lower member of the coupling 5 and fasten it to the central bar 7 of a tension slide 8; the arrangement being such that the strap passes over said bar and under the two outer bars 9 of the slide prior to its passage through the coupling 5. A similar arrangement is provided for the adjustment of the elongated end of one of the straps 3, which likewise passes under the two outside bars 11 of a tension slide 10 and over the middle bar 12 of said slide; its end being permanently attached to said middle bar after passing to the coupling 6.

At the point where the two elongated straps 3 and 4 cross each other, I provide a device whereby they are rendered free to move longitudinally relatively to each other while being at all times held together in parallel planes so that their twisting is a practical impossibility. For this purpose I provide a slide 13 havinga central body portion provided with a middle bar 14 and two outside bars 15. At each end of this body portion is a laterally elongated eye 16, and in applying said slide to the straps, I pass the elongated strap 4 between one of the outside bars 15 and the middle bar 14, over said middle bar, and then between the middle bar and the second outside bar 15. The strap 3 is then passed through the eye 16, under the strap 4, and through the second eye16. With this arrangement of parts, it will be seen that each of the straps is free to move longitudinally across the other, although each of them is prevented from excessive longitudinal movement in one direction by reason of the fact that the tension slide 8 or 10, as the case may be, come into 1 to move laterally as well engagement with the slide 13 and so serve as stops. Moreover, each of the straps is free as longitudinally independently of the other so as to properly perform its functions, while at the same time it is held so that it cannot twist and is always retained in the correct position relatively to the other strap.

The application of the blanket to a horse is greatly facilitated by the use of my invention, since the elongated ends of the girth straps are permanently crossed and may be quickly coupled to the ends of the short straps 3 and 4 in their proper relative positions.

I claim 1.' The combination of a horse blanket having two girth straps arranged to cross each other under the horses belly; a slide common to both of said girths at their point of crossing and movably holding them tovgether; with means on each strap for limiting the movement of said slide in one direction thereon.

2. The combination of a horse blanket having two bias girths thereon each made in two parts, of which one is permanently fixed to the blanket and the other is free therefrom the free portions of said girths crossing each other; devices for connecting the ends of each free part to the fixed parts of the two girths respectively; and a slide movably connecting said free parts of the girths at points substantially midway between the adjacent edges of the blanket when the latter is in operative position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM G. AYRES.

Witnesses:

EDITH G. BERKi-IEISER, CHAS. H. NEWSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

